The Science of Hot Yoga: How Heat Impacts Your Practice
Why is it spicy?
True Hot Yoga North Scottsdale - What is True Hot Yoga?
True Hot Yoga: a yoga studio dedicated to providing an enjoyable, safe, and exceptional hot yoga experience. True Hot Yoga combines the benefits of traditional hot yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa flow to give you a space to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We have both North Scottsdale and Arrowhead Ranch locations. You can book with us on our website or on our True Hot Yoga app.
Hot yoga classes are usually taught in rooms that are either traditionally or infrared-heated between 90 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. True Hot Yoga temperatures peak between 102-105 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity of hot yoga ranges from 40-60%. True Hot Yoga humidity stays at 50-60%, helping to warm up the muscles, promote detoxification, and increase flexibility.
Physical Benefits of Heat
You may have seen infrared sauna use rising in recent years, as people are starting to discover the tremendous benefits of heat. Using a sauna or attending a hot yoga class is so much more than just sweating it out!
Some of the benefits of hot yoga include:
Decreases stress: A 2018 study found that adults who had enrolled in a 16-week hot yoga program showed significantly reduced stress levels.
Decreases symptoms of depression: A 2023 study shows that a group of moderately to severely depressed adults who participated in hot yoga sessions experienced a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms.
Promotes detoxification through sweating
Increases flexibility
Improves heart health: One study shows that one session of hot yoga is enough to get your heart pumping equivalently to a brisk walk
Burns calories: A 2014 study shows that one 90-minute hot yoga session can burn around 350 calories in the average woman.
And more!
The question is, does heated yoga provide more overall health benefits than non-heated yoga?
The answer is that while heated and non-heated yoga have many of the same benefits, heated yoga can give your heart, lungs, and muscles an even more intense workout. Hot yoga also contributes to a more thorough lymphatic drainage flow.
Your choice between heated and non-heated yoga is completely up to you. If you find yourself uncomfortable (more uncomfortable than ‘trying something new’ discomfort or ‘this hurts so good’ discomfort), we encourage you to try out a different type of yoga or a new class.
True hot yoga instructor practicing yoga outdoors.
How the Temperature Influences Your Practice
There are many ways that the temperature of your heated exercise influences your practice. Hot yoga can be more mentally challenging, it can cause your limbs to feel more flexible and limber, and sometimes it can make you uncomfortable, which is something that we want to touch on.
Should you do hot yoga if you’re a beginner?
While we welcome everybody and every body, to True Hot yoga, it is important to consider pre-existing conditions such as dehydration or heart disease, before booking a class. At True Hot Yoga, we give our students the opportunity to push themselves, but that is never enforced. You get to flow at your own pace and your own comfort level. If you need a water or bathroom break, we encourage you to take it. If you need to step out and get some fresh air, please do. Only you know if you are going too far or pushing too hard.
Final Thoughts
Heated spaces may not be for everybody. If you have hesitations or any preexisting heart conditions or heat-related conditions, consult with a medical professional before attending your first class.
If you are interested in trying a True Hot Yoga class, we offer a 3 for $33 special for new students! Book with us at www.truehotyoga.com or by downloading our app.